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February 13, 1988 · Piper Aerostar 602P Aerostar 6 · N68915
Lovelock, NV
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Lovelock, NV
Aircraft
Piper Aerostar 602P Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N68915
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA88LA049
THE NON-MULTIENGINE RATED PILOT (LEFT SEAT) EXECUTED A TAKEOFF DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A SLIGHT RIGHT DRIFT. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE NOSE WHEEL STEERING TO CORRECT AND A HARD LEFT SWERVE ENSUED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL FOLLOWED BY THE AIRCRAFT'S DEPARTING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT HAD BEEN LED TO BELIEVE BY THE ACCOMPANYING FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (RIGHT SEAT) THAT THE USE OF NOSEWHEEL STEERING WAS ACCEPTABLE DURING TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT 'NOSEWHEEL STEERING IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TAKEOFF SINCE THERE IS A TENDENCY TO OVERSTEER THE TAKEOFF RUN'.
Full Narrative
THE NON-MULTIENGINE RATED PILOT (LEFT SEAT) EXECUTED A TAKEOFF DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A SLIGHT RIGHT DRIFT. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE NOSE WHEEL STEERING TO CORRECT AND A HARD LEFT SWERVE ENSUED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL FOLLOWED BY THE AIRCRAFT'S DEPARTING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT HAD BEEN LED TO BELIEVE BY THE ACCOMPANYING FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (RIGHT SEAT) THAT THE USE OF NOSEWHEEL STEERING WAS ACCEPTABLE DURING TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT 'NOSEWHEEL STEERING IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TAKEOFF SINCE THERE IS A TENDENCY TO OVERSTEER THE TAKEOFF RUN'.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PST
Nearest AirportDerby Field (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length5530 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper Aerostar 602P Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN68915
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-AA1A · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility90 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:49
Weather SourceWFAC